Choosing the Right Router for Your Bandwidth

Upgrading your internet speed is only half the job. If the router cannot process traffic at that rate, you will never see the speed you are paying for. Router sizing is one of the most common hidden bottlenecks in business networks.

Headline speed vs real throughput

Router datasheets often quote maximum throughput under ideal conditions with simple traffic. Real offices use firewall rules, NAT, VPNs, intrusion prevention and many simultaneous connections, each of which reduces real throughput.

Features cost performance

• Firewall and NAT: basic and usually fast.
• VPN encryption: can reduce throughput significantly on smaller devices.
• Intrusion prevention and deep inspection: demanding on CPU and often the biggest performance hit.
• Many concurrent sessions: offices with lots of users and devices need larger session tables.

Size for your actual workload

Consider the line speed, the number of users and devices, how much traffic will be encrypted in VPNs, which security features you want enabled and how much growth you expect over three to five years.

Port speeds matter too

A 1 Gbps link needs gigabit ports at minimum; multi-gigabit plans need 2.5G or 10G interfaces on both the router and the switches behind it.

Wi-Fi is often the real limit

Even with a powerful router, old Wi-Fi access points can cap speeds. Plan the whole path, from the internet link to the user's device.

Test after installation

Run speed tests with security features enabled and during busy periods to confirm the router keeps up.

Plan upgrades together

When you upgrade bandwidth, review router capacity at the same time.

The bottom line

Match your router to your bandwidth, features and users. UbiFi sizes managed routers for each plan so you receive the full performance of your connection.

Learn more about Managed Router & SD-WAN from UbiFi, or talk to our team.